Meet the Sharks of Perfect Pitch
Join us on October 1st as four nonprofits "pitch" a new innovative idea to this panel of sharks for a chance at a $10,000 grant from United Way of the Greater Capital Region.
Learn more and purchase your ticket
Meet Ashley Brown
Owner, Ashley Brown LLC & Cookie Therapy ALB
Ashley Brown is a graduate of Shaker HS and started her own photography company, Ashley Brown LLC, in 2007. Since then, she has worked as a full-time photographer focusing on families, schools & corporate work. In early 2020, Ashley started Cookie Therapy with partner, Faye. Ashley remains active with both her businesses. "I consider myself a "serial entrepreneur and love all things business, especially when it comes to encouraging young adults & women to follow an entrepreneurial path" says Ashley. Ashley has two girls, Greta & Lulu, and loves being a mother. She also spends her free time cooking and says her next career might just be a chef!
Meet Katrina Consiglio
Managing Director-Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors
Katrina began her financial services career in 1998 with Wells Fargo Advisors and its predecessor firms and has achieved the Premier Advisor1 designation. She seeks to build long-term relationships with her clients based on mutual trust and respect. Katrina employs a consultative, holistic approach to wealth management, specializing in retirement income planning. She strives to help her clients achieve financial security over time. With in-depth knowledge of the investment planning process, she helps her clients develop and implement strategies for building and preserving their wealth, focusing on risk-management.
Katrina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance from the State University of New York at Albany. In addition to holding her Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations, Katrina is licensed in insurance in New York and other states. Because Katrina believes that retirement is one of her clients' most significant financial goals, she earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor SM (CRPC®) certification by meeting rigorous professional standards and passing a comprehensive examination from the College for Financial Planning.
1 The Premier Advisor designation is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by three or more of the following: length of service with the firm, completion of educational components, business production, and professionalism.
Meet Daquetta Jones
Deputy Commissioner for Administration, NYS Department of Civil Service
Daquetta P. Jones was appointed as a NYS Executive in April 2019 to support executive leadership in achieving its mission to build tomorrow’s workforce today by promoting a diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce. Ms. Jones primary role is providing oversight of the Human Resources and Administrative Planning and Financial Administration.
Jones is an experienced, charismatic, visionary leader, community advocate, mentor, philanthropist, and avid Black business supporter. She possesses nearly 20 years of human services experience serving runaway and homeless youth, victims/survivors of domestic violence, homeless women and families, individuals with severe and persistent mental health, and advocating for Social, Racial, and Gender Justice and Equity. Throughout Jones’ career, the latter 12 years have been in leadership roles.
Prior to Jones’ appointment, she led YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. in Troy, NY as a first-time Executive Director (first African American Womxn Executive Director on the record of an organization with over a 130-year history) over five years with unwavering passion, devotion, strategy, vision, and remarkable success. YWCA-GCR mission is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Jones’ most noted success during her tenure at YWCA-GCR consisted of: increased revenue by nearly 40%, positioned YWCA-GCR into a well-known and reputable organization throughout the Greater Capital Region through community engagement, collaboration, and specialized marketing; 75% Staff Retention, secured a $250k DASNY (Nonprofit Infrastructure Investment Capital Program) to address imminent physical plant concerns, annual employee raises, secured $155,000 through an anonymous matching pledge, more than tripled the Solution To End Homelessness Program (STEHP) grant annually; and increased fundraiser revenue by 75%, just to name a few.
Jones served on several committees, boards, and councils such as Ren Co Regional Chamber of Commerce Board, Key Bank Advisory Council ($16.8 Billion Community Benefit Plan), and City of Troy Ethics Commission appointed by Mayor Patrick Madden. Currently, Jones serves on the Capital Region TU Women@Work Executive Board, The Sage Colleges Women’s Institute Advisory Council, and The Hyde Collection Museum Board. Jones has received a plethora of accolades such as 2015 Albany Business Review (ABR) Women Who Means Business, 2016 ABR 40 Under 40 Award, 2019 Capital Region Chamber of Commerce Women of Excellence – Business Development, 2019 Capital District YMCA Adult Achiever Award, 2019 YWCA-GCR Resourceful Woman of the Year.
Jones graduated in 2011 from The Sage Colleges Graduate School of Management with her Master’s in Business Administration / Health Services Administration. She also possesses a BS in Crime and Justice Policy from The Sage Colleges of Albany and an AAS in Human Services from Hudson Valley Community College. Jones is committed to being a lifelong learner and an active agent in dismantling systemic and structural racism, inequality, and social disparities that significantly impact BIPOC. She demonstrates this commitment through a continuum of professional development, research, community engagement, volunteering, mentorship, philanthropy, and speaking engagements. Born in Miami, Florida, Jones was raised in Fla and San Antonio, Texas until her relocation to Upstate New York in 1998. Jones currently resides in Troy, NY.
Jones’ mottos: “Be Empowered, Empower Others and Always Smile”, “Live, Give, Serve, Save for Your Future and Contribute to Change”, “Keep Going”, “Fuel Your Be Great Tank”
Favorite quotes: “Get in good trouble; get in the way” ~ John Lewis “The question isn’t who is going to let me, the question is who is going to stop me” ~ Ayn Rand “In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction” ~ Audre Lorde “I want to be remembered as someone who used herself and anything she could touch to work for justice and freedom…I want to be remembered as one who tried” ~ Dr. Dorothy Height aka The Godmother of Civil Rights. “When they go low; you go high” ~ Dr. Michele Obama, JD, PhD, Former First Lady of the United States.
Meet JoDee Kenney
Anchor, Spectrum News
From young Reporter in Anchorage, Alaska to experienced professional covering 9-11 from the Pentagon- JoDee has traveled the country telling your stories for more than 25 years. JoDee is one of the most trusted News Anchors in New York State. Viewers can watch her in more than a dozen upstate television markets. She is on television weekdays on Spectrum News, an exclusive service of Charter Communications.
JoDee has told thousands of stories. She has reported on avalanches in Alaska, wildfires in Nevada, two Kentucky Derbies, and from the Pentagon on 9-11. She has anchored such pivotal moments in history as the Iraq invasion, the American Civic Association Mass Shooting in Binghamton, and the public fall and resignation of former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer.
JoDee has been honored with awards, including three National and Nevada Press Woman Awards, Associated Press awards, the 2007 Black and Latino Achievers Award, and the 2006 Syracuse 40 Under 40 Award. Her company has honored her as an outstanding employee. She was recognized for her 7-year leadership role in being a Diversity Ambassador on behalf of one thousand news employees for Time Warner Cable. She created the award-winning “Diversity Day” to bring high school students into the television station and get hands-on experience in news technology.
With snow boots in hand, JoDee transferred from Miami Dade Community College to the University of Alaska Anchorage and earned her Journalism and Public Communications degree in 1992. In May 2018, JoDee earned her Masters of Arts in Journalism, specializing in social media. She has performed every position in the newsroom from Intern to News Director and she has professional experience in radio and television. JoDee has been a full-time News Anchor for Spectrum News (formerly owned by Time Warner Cable) since 2003.
In 2016 JoDee launched the podcast “Success w/ JoDee Kenney” to provide a platform of inspiration for people interested in finding their personal and professional success. A self-described “student of personal development”, JoDee is always looking for ways to improve, and she felt this would be the perfect platform to share her journey and build up her community.
JoDee is an inspirational keynote speaker, facilitator of vision board workshops, headshot, and social media strategy sessions. JoDee is skilled in coaching award-winning pageant contestants on their image, speaking, and presence. JoDee is a published author whose work is featured in “Behind the Smile: 15 Women Who Survived the Storm” and “Starting Over: Unforgettable Faces & Stories.” JoDee’s previous honors also include being the cover girl of Herlife Magazine’s April 2014 issue, winning the 2004 Dancing with the Albany Stars female division, and crowned Mrs. Alaska 1997.
JoDee supports numerous charitable organizations, including the Capital District YMCA, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, Girls Inc., Fostering Futures NY, and many more.
Married to a Professional Chef, JoDee and her husband have three beautiful children who keep them on their toes with their entrepreneurial endeavors, charitable efforts, school work and many extracurricular activities.
Meet Tiffany Orner
Director of Strategic Partnership & Outreach, Grunt Style
Tiffany Orner has military service in her blood. She is a third-generation member of our Armed Forces and a second-generation Air Force Veteran. In 2001, she raised her right hand and swore to protect the United States Constitution by serving in the United States Air Force. Like her mother before her, she was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California. At Travis, she was a War Readiness Technician and with managing equipment and parts critical to the operation of C-5 Aircraft. Tiffany also had a CDL and drove 18 - Wheelers to and from the Aerial Support Squadron to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. When Tiffany was Honorably Discharged, she relocated her family to Albany. It took Tiffany a few years to find her place in the Capital Region as a mother, wife, and now a civilian.
Today, Tiffany is a devoted advocate for all Veterans in the Capital Region. Previously she was the Business Development Manager for the Veteran Owned & Operated JDog Junk Removal & Hauling enterprise. Tiffany is also a member of the Veterans Business Council, the Unified Military Affairs Council, and many other Military and Civilian organizations throughout the Capital Region, including the Veterans and Community Housing Coalition, helping to spearhead the creation of Foreverly House.
When Tiffany’s Mom finished her service to our country, she worked tirelessly to support her fellow Veterans and continue to do so by working at the Albany VA part-time. Tiffany not only follows in her footsteps but is raising her children to do the same. Her two sons attend Christian Brothers Academy. And you never know, there just might be a fourth generation of Tiffany’s family proudly wearing the uniform of America’s military someday.
Meet Lizzie Schlegel
Finance, Fingerpaint
Elizabeth Schlegel (Lizzie) has been part of the Finance Team at Fingerpaint for seven years. She is responsible for all financial management and oversight for Fingerpaint’s Conshohocken and Phoenix offices. In addition to her work, Lizzie brings knowledge and enthusiasm to many external philanthropic engagements and to those within her company. She is currently a board member at Franklin Community Center and a member of the American Cancer Society Board of Ambassadors. Lizzie was previously a board member for the March of Dimes. She has more than a decade of experience as an accomplished cheerleading coach for elementary through college level squads and is an experienced fundraiser in both planning and development. Lizzie resides in Saratoga Springs with her partner Travis and their two rescue cats, Shadow and Milo. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Accounting from Siena College.
Meet Nancy Sever, Esq
Principal, Hinman Straub, PC
Nancy Sever is a Shareholder in Hinman Straub, PC, and practices primarily in its Health Law Department. Her practice focuses primarily on representing a broad range of health care clients, including health maintenance organizations, insurers, third party administrators, independent practice associations (IPAs), physicians, and facilities. Prior to joining the firm, Nancy’s work experience included being the Chief Legal Officer for Crystal Run Healthcare, a large, multi-specialty, physician practice group in New York’s Hudson Valley, and Assistant General Counsel at Gateway Health Plan, a large Medicaid/Medicare managed care plan based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before her legal career took the health law path, Nancy practiced mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy, and private equity offerings. Nancy is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the American Health Lawyers Association. She has been a board member of the Greater Hudson Valley YMCA and was a charter member of the United Way of Pittsburgh Women’s Committee. Nancy received her Bachelor’s degree at SUNY Oneonta, her Master of Public Administration degree at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, and earned her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Buffalo School of Law.